How power-couple Tanya and Yuriy Romanyukha balance their demanding careers with family life

Tanya Romanyukha, General Manager of TechIsland, and Yuriy Romanyukha, Managing Partner of venture capital specialists ICLUB Global, reveal how they successfully balance their high-powered careers with marriage and family life.

When did you move to Cyprus and what led to this decision? How did the change of country affect your relationship?

Tanya: We moved to Cyprus about three years ago. We were drawn to it because it aligned with the vision we had for ourselves and our kids. The growing tech ecosystem and the quality of English-speaking schools were key factors. But the warmth of the locals, the friendly culture and relaxed island lifestyle also made the decision easier.

Yuriy: I wouldn’t say that moving to a new country affected us. We were always a team and still are but now we are in a more ’stress-free’ state of mind.

Was it difficult at first to combine two careers and two lives on a single path?

Tanya: Before kids, combining our work and personal lives was pretty straightforward. There wasn’t a strict divide between them – it all just flowed together. But after kids, things got trickier! We had to figure out a whole new system for managing everything. Now, it’s all about balancing time – sometimes, you have to focus solely on the kids. We both work in the innovation field and share a strong work ethic, so even though things get hectic, we know how to support each other during busy periods. We believe in giving each other love, respect and trust, which really helps us maintain a balance between our careers and family life.

Yuriy: We learned early on how crucial it is to be honest and transparent with each other. This openness has really helped us deal with challenges as they come. At the same time, we are very aware of the importance of maintaining balance. We love our jobs and we love our life at home. And because we think alike and act as a team, we manage to find that healthy balance.

Have you always divided up home responsibilities?

Tanya: Let’s say that we share the same attitude: if you see something that needs to be done, you just do it. With this in mind, we have a system between us, based on each other’s interests and preferences. For example, Yuriy takes on the morning tasks – getting the kids ready for school and handling breakfast. I take over in the evening – managing dinner and the bedtime routine. But throughout all this, we are open with each other and flexible and we always ask for support when needed.

Yuriy: And with our two kids (an eight-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy), it’s important for us to teach them family values through our actions. We try to involve them in our daily routines without making it feel like a strict schedule. We’ve noticed that the more we encourage them to take part and not limit them, the more proactive they become. It’s about making them feel they’re an important part of our family team and not just giving them chores.

Does the fact that you are both in a senior position make your marriage different from how it would have been if only one of you had such a role?

Yuriy: Both of us being in senior positions doesn’t define our marriage. We’ve always seen our careers as parts of our lives but they are not who we are. This perspective helps us keep our relationship grounded. We each bring our unique selves to our relationship, not just our job titles. It’s about understanding and valuing who we are as individuals, beyond our professional roles. This makes our connection stronger.

Tanya: Our career paths have never affected our relationship. We’re partners and a team, and our family is our mutual responsibility.

Are your roles at home identical or do they complement each other?

Tanya: They complement each other. It’s about each of us taking on the responsibilities that he/she can execute better and enjoy doing so.

Yuriy: And if something isn’t working for us, we’re open about it and discuss it – even if that means arguing sometimes! But it’s constructive; we argue to find creative solutions, not to win points. This approach helps us continuously improve how we handle responsibilities at home.

Do you both understand the challenges of your partner’s career? How important is it to support your partner’s career and feel that you are similarly supported?

Tanya: It is very important not just to understand but also to actively support each other. We make time to talk to each other, share views, pains and concerns, as well as to celebrate big and small victories.

Yuriy: We both feel that by supporting each other’s careers, we contribute to each other’s success and happiness, which, in turn, strengthens our family.

Daily job stressors can accumulate in family dynamics. Is the spillover of work stress into family life something you have experienced? If so, how did you navigate that?

Yuriy: Work stress spilling over into our family life has happened and it’s not easy. What’s important is to recognise when stress affects not just you but also those around you and to do something about it.

Tanya: When we notice these stressors impacting our home, we address them directly. Whether it’s by spending some quiet time together or making sure we each have time to unwind, we try to handle every problem before it becomes a bigger issue.

How do you manage to make time for each other?

Tanya: When you live in an environment where people are always relaxed and smiling, it gives you the perspective to pause from your daily routine and take a moment to enjoy life with your partner, kids, friends and so on.

Yuriy: That’s why we make it a point to have time alone together at least once a month. It’s something we look forward to and it keeps our relationship strong. Whether it’s a date night, travelling around Cyprus or going abroad, it really helps us reconnect.

Have you ever had to choose between accepting a new position and maintaining your home life?

Tanya: It hasn’t happened in the past but, overall, we have a clear rule: if a role doesn’t align with our vision and values, then it’s not the right move for us, no matter how attractive it might seem.

Yuriy: Absolutely, and it’s not just about the role itself but also about who we would be working with. The company and its people need to share our values. This alignment is crucial because it affects not just our professional lives but our personal life and family dynamics as well.

Does the career of one of you take priority over the other’s?

Yuriy: No. Having both been in managerial positions for over 15 years, we’ve learned how to manage and balance our professional responsibilities effectively.

Tanya: We approach our careers with a sense of partnership and support. By respecting each other’s professional goals and commitments, we ensure that neither of us feels that our career is taking a backseat. It’s about maintaining balance and fairness in both our careers.

(Photos by TASPHO)

This interview first appeared in the 2024 edition of The Cyprus Journal of Wealth Management, the seventh to be published. Click here to view the interview, and here to view the magazine from its cover.